T-80U Series, CIS

T-80/T-80B Series CIS

As the T-72 family increased in size the Soviets stopped production of the T-64 and switched their factories to production of the T-80 model. Whilst derived from the T-64 and retaining that vehicles fullystabilised 125 mm main gun and firecontrol system it also featured either a gas turbine or diesel engine, different suspension system, road wheels and tracks, and a smoother transmission.

In 1984 the T-80 began to appear in the Groups of Soviet Forces in Eastern Europe and by 1990 had almost totally supplanted the various T-64 variants in the Western and Northern Groups of Forces.

The fire-control system includes a laser rangefinder, advanced ballistic computer, thermal sleeve on the gun barrel and a gun barrel warp sensor. The ammunition fired is the standard 125 mm family types - APFSDS-T, HE-FRAG(FS) and HEAT-FS - with the additional capacity for the AT-8 Songster radio command guided ATGW. The complete fire system allows targets out to 2500 metres to be effectively engaged by APFSDS-T ammunition and targets out to 4000 metres by the AT-8. The tank also has a limited shoot-on-themove capability at low speeds. The gun uses a carousel-type autoloader with a 28-round capacity.

Beneath the glacis plate is a toothed dozer/plough with which the tank can dig its own fighting position within 15-20 minutes, It can also be fitted with KMT-5/6 mine roller/ploughs.

With the information release for the CIS talks the Russian Army designations for the T-80 variants have been discovered. T-80 - initial production model with the features above. T-80B - improved production model of T-80, with, initially, SG-1000 gas turbine developing 1000 hp and then GTD-1000F gas turbine developing llOOhp. T-80BK - command version of T-80B with additional radio,second antenna on

turret roof, land navigation system and no-ATGW capability. T-80BV - the T-80B with bolts/brackets added all over the hull glacis and turret top, sides and front to take ERA boxes. T-80BVK - command version of T-80BV with additional radio, second antenna and land navigation system. T-80U - See separate entry on T-80U series. T-80UD - further improved model of T-80U. See separate entry on T-80U series. T-80UK - See separate entry on T-80U series. T-80UM - See separate entry on T-80U series.

The only known derivative to-date is the 152 mm 2S19 self-propelled artillery weapon which is based on the T-80 chassis and uses some automotive parts oftheT-72tank,

Russian T-80/T-80B MET fitted with gas turbine engine.